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Rome - Via degli Zingari or Via Labicana? Or neither?

We are planning a trip to Italy next May and are looking at two apartments. One is on the Via Degli Zingari and the other is on Via Labicana. So one is in Campi and the other in Monti. In looking at Google Earth the two areas look about the same. Is one area preferred over the other? We are first timers to Rome, in our early 60's but like to act younger, LOL. We would like an area with nice restaurants, maybe a bar or two but not too rowdy. We will be in Rome for 5 nights. And I have to say this...is Rome as run down as some of the pictures I've seen look? Should that put us/me off when choosing a place to stay or does it all look that way? Thanks in advance Rome Experts!

Posted by
388 posts

The areas that you have picked are perfectly fine. It looks like they are around the Coliseum. There are lots of transportation options near there to get you around the city. As for restaurants, there are some but I think other areas are going to be better known for their restaurants. Truth be told, it doesn't really matter where in the city you stay as long as you have good transportation around the city. Most of our tours stay near Termini train station. Many great restaurants can be found around Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona. Also, Trastevere has lots of good options too. You won't be spending a lot of time in your hotel either, so you don't have to eat near your hotel.

Rome is a beautiful city. It can be busy and look dirty in some places. But its 2500 years old and every bit of it shows. Thats one of the things that draws people in. Go to Rome and have lots of fun.

Posted by
7737 posts

I'm not sure what you mean by "one is in Campi." Zingari is definitely Monti, but Labicana is more what I would call Colle Oppio, but maybe I'm missing something. The Zingari area is loaded with good restaurants which you can find using Tripadvisor. I'll be staying there myself in the spring. It can be pretty active in the evening so make sure you get some place with a bedroom window that is either well sound-proofed or that opens up into an inner courtyard. And take earplugs just in case.

Labicana is a busy main street and not so charming. Use Google Maps Streetview to look around for yourself.

Rome has been continuously occupied for over 3000 years, so yeah, it's showing around the edges. It's not "run down" - it has character. That is indeed the charm. Do be aware that there is graffiti almost everywhere in Rome. As I often say, remember that "graffiti" is an Italian word for a reason.

Posted by
11613 posts

You might enjoy Via degli Zingari more as a place to stay. Via Labicana has major bus and tram routes running along/near it.

Posted by
11247 posts

As to Rome looking "run down," one of the things I find endlessly fascinating is how different an area looks when shops are closed versus open. The utilitarian but unattractive serrande (rolling shutters) attract graffiti that make them even less visually appealing. So when shops are closed, the street looks awful and uninviting. But when shops are open, it is an amazing transformation. Also, apartment buildings are often quite drab on the outside, but surround beautiful courtyards and internal spaces. The beauty is on the inside with little street appeal, particularly in the centro storico. Do not let exteriors put you off, but as others have advised, avoid a bedroom overlooking a street heavily used by buses and trams.

Posted by
715 posts

I am in my 60's also.

Consider this a vote for Via degli Zingari. I have never stayed there, but have wandered around and it is a lovely neighborhood. Suggestion, if you have an IPad, or something similar, or IPhone or Droid, you can download a sleep machine app that works pretty well at masking out noise. I use one called sleep pillow. I usually stay over in the campo dei fiori area and the streets at night can be rather active, as well as in the early morning as the city wakes up. One year it was rather annoying, next year I used the app and voila!!!, sleep.

I love the run down nature of Rome, and Italy, the lived in feel. This is one reason I love Naples. I always roll my eyes when i read trip advisor and people complain about the Cinque Terre because it is a) decrepit, run down, needs paint; b) spartan, lack of luxury; and c) and this one always cracks me up - too many tourists. Italy is gorgeous as it is.

buon viaggio

Posted by
11613 posts

I agree with posters about the charm and profound sense of history in Rome. While most people can't even glimpse the beautiful interior courtyards, everyone can look up at the roofs of residential buildings in the Centro Storico snd see lavish gardens.

If anyone wants a pristine city, they are in Switzerland (love it but don't spend much time there. afraid I'll get it dirty).

Posted by
15679 posts

I'll agree about the charm as well. Romans don't have a habit of tearing down or radically updating their old buildings as we unfortunately too often do here in the U.S. They're allowed to acquire a patina of age, and I love that. What's especially interesting is that a church, say, may have a rather plain, unimpressive facade but walk in the door and you're transported into a glorious world of beautiful frescoes, sculpture, gilt and stained glass. Those peeks into inner courtyards are fascinating, and the personality of the city as a whole does indeed change from quiet early mornings (my favorite time to walk) to bustling midday to atmospheric evenings.

No, it's not pristine but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Posted by
702 posts

Thank you so much for your comments & suggestions. They will definitely help me to decide where to stay. Both apartments do have lovely courtyards and the apartments themselves look very nice. Guess I overreacted to the Google Street Views! Thanks again.

Posted by
7737 posts

That's an excellent point about the storefronts. Google Streetview cars tend to do their photographing early in the morning before stores are open. But open those doors, and add people milling about and you have a completely different feel.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with an Italian couple once. We were talking about how old many of the buildings are in Italy. I told them that our house in Seattle was considered pretty old, at 75 years. They laughed and said their home was 750 years old!

Man, I can't wait to get back to Rome for visit #5. Just a little over six months to go.

Posted by
11613 posts

I will be right behind Michael. I hadn't thought about the graffiti. Early morning is a great time to walk around and see the fountains and piazze in that incredible Roman morning light.

Posted by
702 posts

I found a different apartment, actually quite close to these two but the street looks prettier and I liked the apartment better. its on Via Merulana. Just booked it via AIRBNB. Super excited to head to Rome next May!!! Thanks for all your help.

Posted by
7737 posts

Good for you. Merulana is also a fairly busy street, so be sure to take earplugs in case your bedroom window opens onto the street.

Have a great time.